Interaction among perfluorinated liquids and polymers in a device for total liquid ventilation

The possible interactions among different perfluorinated liquids (PFs) and the polymeric components of the ventilator prototype for Total Liquid Ventilation (TLV) that we are developing were analysed in this study. Indeed, no data are available about the effect of a prolonged exposure of polymers to PFs. This information is crucial in view of in vivo application of TLV, where any polymer degradation should be avoided to prevent patient contamination. The PFs were analysed by infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance up to 28 days of contact with polymeric samples. This study showed the entity of the interactions between PFs and the polymers constituting our TLV prototype after up to 28 days. Further analyses are on-going to assess the maximum duration of our polymeric-based TLV device before the occurrence of polymer degradation, in order to avoid possible dangerous effects during in vivo applications.